Xabi Alonso in limbo as Scott Carson nears exit

Jul 15 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

But while the keeper is poised to become the latest departure after Danny Guthrie’s £2.25m move to Newcastle United was completed yesterday, Alonso’s proposed move from Liverpool to Juventus could be in doubt after the Italian giants completed the signing of Sevilla’s Christian Poulsen.

Denmark international Poulsen underwent a medical yesterday before signing a four-year contract.

The 28-year-old has signed for around £7.8m, casting huge questions marks over their interest in £14m-rated Alonso, who plays a similar role to Poulsen and had been subject of an offer from Juve. Benitez revealed last week that Liverpool had rejected the initial bid and were waiting for the Italians to return with an improved offer.

Although Benitez says there would be “no problem” should Alonso stay, it would impact severely on his attempts to bring both Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane to the club.

Both are expected to cost at least £15m and it’s thought unlikely Liverpool can afford to sign both without the departure of another high-profile squad member.

Javier Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt were among the players to begin the team’s training camp in Switzerland yesterday. Liverpool take on FC Lucerne in Grenchen tomorrow night before playing Wisla Krakow on Saturday. Meanwhile, Holland's Olympic football coach Foppe de Haan claims Ryan Babel is confident he will be fit enough to play in next month’s Olympic Games.

Despite Benitez’s reservations, Babel is almost certain to be called up for the Dutch team should he prove his fitness after missing Euro 2008 through injury.

And de Haan said: “Ryan is very at ease under the words of Benitez.

Other Liverpool players are also going to Beijing , so why not him?

“In the past couple of days Ryan has been doing warm-ups at Liverpool with the rest of the group.

“Ryan is very optimistic about his recovery and he wants to go with us to the Olympic Games very much.”